And the 55 is going to be good for less than a year. I would be trying to get the adult size cage built. Talk to your school's woodshop.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

well im going to have to keep it in a 55 gallon tank until like a year and a half although I will take him out the tank everyday for excersise

thats not good for him. You will see soon enough, that a 55 will stress him out and you will have a very unhealthy ig.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

who knows what can happen hopefully I dont get to keep it in a 55 gallon tank for taht long as I would love get him a custom build cage before I planned. but can anyone let me know how long may I keep it outside of its tank a day.. and I still need to set up my lighting so can anyone tell me which ones they use.. i have two books I use as reference but they just tell me what type of lighting I should use.

test for the proper heat with incandescent bulbs, then once you get the right wattage, go and buy a good UVB bulb with the same wattage. Be sure to get a good UVB tube as well.

And as for being out of the tank, it really depends on the ig. I wouldn't let them freeroam until they get to be an adult and you can't lose them in the house. Some igs spend all day out of their enclosure in custom built outdoor enclosures, some free roam around the house and use their enclosure for basking and bathroom only, some don't want to leave the cage at all.

Have you read our caresheet?

You are asking us questions we can't answer. We can only suggest since nothing is written in stone beyond diet, UVB, temps and basic care.

I'm not the best person to ask about Igs but I do understand basic husbandry from being on this board.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

oh ok thanks now its understandable yea I have read the care sheet..